by Rusty Fischer ‧ RELEASE DATE: Feb. 9, 2016
Here’s hoping the profoundly unkind depiction of vamplit fans (Nora's "vannabe" readers are bedecked in "outdated frills"...
A 17-year-old author of vampire pulp finds herself starring in real-life vampire pulp.
Since the first adventure of vampire hunter Scarlet Stain went bestseller, Nora's been living the dream. Far from the trailer park where she grew up with her single mother, Nora's at boarding school in Beverly Hills, surrounded by the high school glitterati. Roommate and BFF Abby's a B-movie actress, and luscious best boy pal Wyatt's a model. A book signing heats up when a smoldering, chocolate-eyed stranger appears among the blathering goth fans; seductive Reece Rothchild attempts to beguile her with his vampiric wiles, though Nora displays sensible distaste. But alas, Reece is an evil vampire, and he'll happily use Abby and Wyatt as weapons. The friends are more props than believable characters (readers’ introduction to Abby focuses on her "long, coltish legs” and “the bottom of her perfect butt poking out from under her nightshirt" followed by an honest-to-goodness dorm-room pillow fight—perhaps the B-movies are coming true just like the vampire pulp). Still, the rapid-paced prose (one-sentence paragraphs abound) moves fans of the undead quickly though this thin but entertaining offering.
Here’s hoping the profoundly unkind depiction of vamplit fans (Nora's "vannabe" readers are bedecked in "outdated frills" and give themselves names like Countess Cruella) won't insult the very readers who might enjoy the gory vamp silliness . (Horror. 13-17)Pub Date: Feb. 9, 2016
ISBN: 978-1-942546-38-2
Page Count: 238
Publisher: Medallion Press
Review Posted Online: Nov. 24, 2015
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 15, 2015
Share your opinion of this book
More by Rusty Fischer
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
by Kelly Creagh ‧ RELEASE DATE: Aug. 17, 2021
The Phantom of the Opera served as inspiration, but this wouldn’t last on Broadway.
Stephanie and her family move into an old mansion rumored to have been put under a curse after a turn-of-the-20th-century rich boy meddled with an Egyptian mummy.
After her young sister complains about strange events, high school student Stephanie befriends Lucas, a geeky, good-looking boy, and meets the other members of SPOoKy, the Scientific Paranormal Organization of Kentucky: Charlotte, Wes, and Patrick. Stephanie learns the history of her new home from Lucas, who attracts her romantic attention, but the usually levelheaded girl is soon drawn to Erik, the handsome phantom who first comes to her in dreams. The story is told in chapters narrated by Stephanie, Lucas, and Zedok, whose identity is initially a source of confusion to Stephanie. Zedok appears wearing different masks, “personified slivers” of his soul, representing states of mind such as Wrath, Madness, and Valor. Meanwhile, until gifted singer Stephanie came along and he could write songs for her, Erik’s dreams were thwarted; he wanted to be a composer but his family expected him to become a doctor. In the gothic horror tradition, Erik’s full background and connection with Zedok are slowly revealed. Romantic dream sequences are lush and swoon-y, but the long, drawn-out battle to end the curse, aided by a celebrity clairvoyant, is tedious, and the constant introduction of Erik’s different personae is confusing. Most characters default to White; Patrick is Black.
The Phantom of the Opera served as inspiration, but this wouldn’t last on Broadway. (Horror. 13-16)Pub Date: Aug. 17, 2021
ISBN: 978-0-593-11604-3
Page Count: 528
Publisher: Viking
Review Posted Online: May 26, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2021
Share your opinion of this book
More by Kelly Creagh
BOOK REVIEW
by Kelly Creagh
BOOK REVIEW
by Kelly Creagh
BOOK REVIEW
by Kelly Creagh
by Katrina Leno ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 15, 2020
A deliberately paced thriller with a frightful twist.
A spooky New England town gets a couple new residents.
Jane arrives in Bells Hollow, Maine, hoping to rebuild her life in the wake of her father’s unexpected death. After selling their California home to settle debts, Jane’s mother, Ruth, has relocated the small family to the childhood home left to her by her estranged parents. The house, North Manor, is the subject of whispers and rumor in the small town. Jane makes friends at school and gets an after-school job in a bookstore that contains a coffee shop, but all the while there’s a creeping dread in the back of her mind: Something is very wrong with this place, and her mother isn’t being completely honest with her. As Jane stumbles through anxiety, mystery readers will itch for the big reveal. The author crafts spooky set pieces and an intriguing cast of supporting characters, but Jane’s repetitive cycle of grief, dread, anxiety, repeat comes very close to wearing out its welcome. Luckily, just when it reaches the boiling point, secrets are revealed and twisted upon, serving up an explosive finale that reframes the slower bits and ends the book on a high note. Main characters are White; Jane’s school friend Susie and her boss, Will, are Black.
A deliberately paced thriller with a frightful twist. (Thriller. 13-17)Pub Date: Sept. 15, 2020
ISBN: 978-0-316-53724-7
Page Count: 336
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: June 24, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2020
Share your opinion of this book
More by Katrina Leno
BOOK REVIEW
by Katrina Leno ; illustrated by Davide Ortu
BOOK REVIEW
by Katrina Leno
BOOK REVIEW
by Katrina Leno
© Copyright 2024 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Hey there, book lover.
We’re glad you found a book that interests you!
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Don’t fret. We’ll find you.